Struga, 16 June 2023 (MIA) - The safest way to deal with safety challenges in the Western Balkans is European integration. That is why Greece is a staunch supporter of Western Balkan integration, not only to achieve the goal of accession itself, but also for the way toward the European Union, because the most important weapon against security challenges are prosperous and united societies, Special Representative of the Greek Ministry of Foreign Affairs for the Western Balkans and Ambassador of the Hellenic Republic to Romania, Sofia Gramata, told the 'Addressing Security Challenges with (non) EU Integrated Western Balkans' session at the 2023 Prespa Forum Dialogue in Struga on Friday.

According to Gramata, safety risks can be addressed by strengthening of military capacities of the Western Balkans.

"Their intelligence capabilities can be strengthened by strengthening of their capabilities within NATO, though the European peace facility, and a strengthened bilateral military cooperation in order to address security challenges. Greece with North Macedonia have an enhanced military cooperation, taking into consideration not only Greece's military capabilities, but also the extensive American military presence in my country," said Gramata.

The path towards EU is conditional, Gramata said, and these preconditions deal with rule of law issues, strengthening democracy, human rights...

"All of these things will strengthen and unify the society in all of Western Balkans. And therefore, we need OSCE's great help," she noted.

Speaking from personal experience during the negotiations for the Prespa Agreement, Gramata told all Western Balkan countries that all that is needed to create good neighborly relations is good will.

"The Prespa Agreement and the negotiations that were a part of it, and of it created a situation in which estranged neighbors became good friends and good neighbors," Gramata added. ssh/nn/

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